Performance assessment is a key mechanism for setting the focus of intervention on the challenges municipalities face

The Kosovo Local Government Institute (KLGI) organised a training session entitled ‘Performance and Incentive Grants for Municipalities’, held in the Municipal Assembly Hall in Klina. The session addressed the need for continuous improvement of municipal performance as a key mechanism for higher-quality services to citizens.

Participants in the training were representatives of 7 Kosovo municipalities (Mitrovica, Podujeva, Kamenica, Klina, Drenas, Vushtrri and Partesh).

Opening the session, the Executive Director of the KLGI Institute, Mr Besnik Muçaj, encouraged the municipal representatives to perform better in order to provide efficient and effective services to citizens. This would also open the way to easier access to development funds.

Participants had the opportunity to hold a conversation with the Mayor of Klina, Mr Zenun Elezaj, who as host thanked them for visiting the Municipality of Klina, and also gave an update on the projects under way, the challenges the municipality is facing and progress in implementing development projects.

This also served as a good opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience, and to discuss the common challenges faced by the municipalities participating in the programme.

Those present were also informed about the Municipal Performance Grant, which is managed by the Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA) and the DEMOS project, and which aims to incentivise municipalities in the areas of good governance, municipal management, transparency and integrity.

Speaking about the importance of the Performance Grant, the DEMOS project manager, Mr Ertan Munoglu, stressed that Kosovo is the only country in the region with a performance management system, thereby increasing the accountability and transparency of municipalities’ work. The grant as such assesses the work of the institution, which continues regardless of changes in government. Nevertheless, it is the institution that performs with a sense of responsibility and accountability.

In addition to the lectures, discussions and presentations, participants received answers on various topics during the conversation, and afterwards made a joint visit to the municipal administration and the town of Klina.

This activity falls under the pillar on improving public policy at local level and is carried out within the project ‘Support for Strong and Sustainable Municipalities (SSSM)’, funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kosovo.